BBC Midlands Today highlights urgent March 2026 deadline for pandemic business interruption claims.
If your business was forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic and your insurer refused to pay out on your business interruption policy, time is running out. You have until March 2026 to lodge a legal complaint – just months away. Chris Guy, Director and Head of Insurance Litigation is currently representing 69 small business owners in a major group legal action against insurance giant Beazley Group, and as featured in a recent BBC Midlands Today report, there could be thousands more businesses in the same position.
The BBC Investigation: Small Businesses Fight Back
The BBC Midlands Today investigation, broadcast on 27th August 2025, highlighted the ongoing struggle of small business owners who believed they were covered by business interruption insurance, only to have their claims rejected when the pandemic struck.
The report featured two of our clients who, despite paying premiums for years, found themselves abandoned when they needed their insurance most. Serina Russel, who owns The Underground Tattoo Studios in Walsall, had been paying £46 monthly for business interruption cover for 15 years. When forced to close for 10 months during lockdown, Beazley refused her claim.
“When you take out business interruption insurance, it doesn’t state you’re not covered for a pandemic,” Ms Russel told the BBC. “The point is if you are closed, if your business is closed, you are covered, otherwise what is the point in having it?”
Lucy Foster, who runs the Lucy Foster Wellness Clinic in Tamworth, faced similar treatment. Despite paying premiums to Beazley, her claim was rejected, forcing her to close her training school in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and take out a £25,000 bounce back loan she’s still repaying.
“It’s quite hard when you’ve literally put blood, sweat and tears for years and years,” Ms Foster explained to the BBC. “I’m 30 years in the industry and to feel you’ve had to go back a number of years – it’s quite tough.”
Our Legal Position: The Policy Wording is Clear
Speaking to the BBC, RLK Solicitors’ Chris Guy explained our legal argument against Beazley: “The wording is wide enough in our legal opinion to cover a pandemic. It is a closure by a government as a result of an incident, which caused the denial of access to the property.”
“Covid was an emergency at the time which the government decided they needed to take extreme measures and close these businesses. The wording in this policy in our opinion covers for that.”
This isn’t just about technical legal interpretation – it’s about fairness. Small business owners paid premiums in good faith, expecting protection when their businesses were forced to close. When that closure happened, insurers found excuses to avoid paying.
The Critical March 2026 Deadline
Here’s what every affected business owner needs to know: you have until March 2026 to lodge a legal complaint. This six-year limitation period runs from March 2020 when the first lockdown was announced.
Time is running out. If you don’t act before this deadline, you’ll lose your right to claim forever – no matter how strong your case or how unfair the insurer’s refusal.
Why Group Action Works
Our group litigation against Beazley demonstrates the power of collective action. By joining together, small businesses can:
- Share legal costs making litigation affordable for individual business owners
- Pool resources to match the financial firepower of major insurers
- Strengthen cases through consistent legal arguments across similar policies
- Increase pressure on insurers to settle rather than face multiple court battles
The 69 businesses currently in our action represent just a fraction of those affected. As Chris Guy told the BBC, there are thousands of other people in the same position.
Beyond Beazley: Other Insurers, Same Problems
While our current group action focuses on Beazley, we’re seeing similar issues across the insurance industry. Many business interruption insurers used the pandemic as an excuse to avoid paying legitimate claims, leaving small businesses to struggle with:
- Forced closure with no income
- Ongoing rent and business costs
- Staff redundancy payments
- Equipment and stock losses
- Expensive bounce back loans
If your insurer – whether Beazley, Aviva, AXA, or any other provider – wrongfully refused your pandemic-related business interruption claim, you may still have time to challenge that decision.
What You Need to Do Now
Don’t delay. With the March 2026 deadline approaching, every month counts. Here’s your action plan:
- Gather your documents – Find your business interruption policy, correspondence with your insurer, and evidence of your losses
- Get expert legal advice – Business interruption claims are complex and insurers have teams of lawyers defending them
- Consider group action – Joining with other affected businesses may be your most cost-effective route to justice
- Act before it’s too late – Once March 2026 passes, your claim is gone forever
RLK’s Track Record in Business Interruption Claims
Our success in business interruption litigation speaks for itself. We’ve helped businesses recover substantial sums from insurers who initially refused to pay. As one satisfied client told us: “I was lucky enough to have a successful outcome with Mia at RLK Solicitors obtaining my Business Interruption Claim when I had previously been told NO by my brokers. Really satisfied.”
We combine deep technical knowledge of insurance law with the determination to take on major insurers. When we say we have “GRIT,” we mean it – we don’t back down from powerful opponents when our clients have been treated unfairly.
Watch the Full BBC Report
You can watch the complete BBC Midlands Today investigation featuring our clients and Chris Guy’s expert commentary here. The report provides compelling insight into the real impact on small businesses and the legal arguments we’re advancing.
Get Help Before Time Runs Out
If your business interruption insurer refused your pandemic claim, don’t let the deadline pass. The insurance companies are counting on business owners giving up or running out of time. We’re here to ensure that doesn’t happen.
Call us today on 0121 450 7800 to discuss your business interruption claim, or complete our urgent enquiry form for a specialist insurance litigation solicitor to review your case within 24 hours.
Time is running out – but it’s not too late to fight back.
Read the full BBC Midlands Today report at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d08xq37jxo.amp .
This article does not present a complete or comprehensive statement of the law, nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to provide information on issues that may be of interest. Specialist legal advice should always be sought in any particular case.
